Press Release

September 30, 2007

Mingo Residents Gather to Celebrate, Better their County

Laurel Lake, Mingo County-- Over seventy people gathered at Laurel Lake for a community picnic on Saturday to enjoy gospel and country music and good food provided by citizens from across the county. The eats included homemade chicken and dumplins, pickles, deviled eggs, and ham salad. The picnic, titled "This Land is Our Land, This Land is Our Home," was organized by citizens who have a concern for what is happening to the water, land and economy in Mingo County.

"We wanted to bring people together to share ideas on how we can better our communities" said Donna Branham of Lenore, one of the event's organizers. "Because people need to see that where we live is something worth throwing your shoulders back for. It's something worth saving."

Branham mentioned the recent addition of 1,500 acres to the county and the need for citizens to speak up about how we can make the county more prosperous. She encouraged people to contact their county commission and redevelopment authority with ideas and suggestions. She also mentioned the Clean Elections Campaign in the state, "so that we can get politicians into office who are accountable to the people and not to the big businesses." Everyone was also invited to flyover the county in a free small airplane ride provided by Southwings and OVEC on October 13.

"I've got a whole sack of grandkids now and we have to think about what they will be left with if things keep on as they are," Said Charlie Branham, also of Lenore. "We have to take part in making sure they have land to live on and good water to drink and fish in."

A variety of groups were present at the picnic, with a variety of concerns. Wilma Steele, an area high school art teacher who lives in Meador, helped to organize the event, " because I care about our state and the people in it." said Steele. "Sometimes we don't realize other people that care and this was a good place to bring them together."

Citizens at the picnic talked both generally and specifically about what they want to see happen in the county, including the need for a database of elderly or disabled people who might need assistance from county officials to get out in the event of an emergency.

"I'm glad I came to the picnic," said Amber McCoy, 14 years old, of Matewan. "I thought it was a good opportunity to find out about the people and groups interested in helping our community, and I've already talked to people in my group about it." McCoy founded R.O.A.R., Restoring Our Appalachian Respect, a group of teens in Mingo County who want to help their community.

Musicians playing at the event included Howard Branham of Ragland, Tolbert Marcum of Canada, KY, and Ralph Curry of Chapmanville. "I had a blast," said Branham who added, "We need more events like this. I just spent a year in Iraq fighting for people who can't stand up for themselves; I am surprised that my country people are afraid to speak their minds about some things. That ought not be."